RAWALPINDI /DNA/ – On night 17/18 August 2021, Pakistan Military post observed and engaged move of terrorists in Kanniguram, South Wazirstan Distt. During intense exchange of fire, one of the terrorists was killed. While responding to terrorist fire , Naib Subedar Sonay Zai (age 42 years, r/o Darazinda, DI Khan), got critically injured and later embraced shahadatSearch of the area is in progress to eliminate any terrorists found .Pakistan Army is determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve.
Who shall be the next IUCN president?
Munir Ahmed
The French government and IUCN – International Union for Conservation of Nature will be organizing the World Conservation Congress from September 3-11, 2021. Initially it was planned for 2020 but could not happen because of the Covid-19 situation. As the health situation has been improved in many of the IUCN member countries and in France as well, the plan is to go for a ‘hybrid event’. Some participants will be present in-person while mostly joining the congress sessions and other proceedings virtually.
The bright side of the Covid-19 pandemic is that it has forced the world to explore the potential of the internet. Many have successfully experienced it. The developed countries are leading the virtual world. Many companies out there have made billions in the business and are still counting on. Environmental conditions improved and biodiversity flourished while the Covid-19 pandemic was rising. We, the human beings, especially the (un)gentlemen, need to understand that our undue interventions for the lust of money and power are the biggest and the largest threats to other species on the earth.
Do we need pandemics all the time to push away human beings from nature to give it some breathing space to flourish freely? Can’t we put a stop to the (un)gentlemen’s lust for money and power? Many out there are bearable. Some are genuinely appreciative for their dedicated humane leadership. They were the genuinely admirable men in leadership from France, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland and some others from the developed world who launched the environment and sustainable development regime about three decades back. Environmental consciousness began even in earlier decades. All led by men of morals, values, ethics and norms.
We shall be grateful to France for taking the lead yet another time for hosting the global event to brainstorm nature conservation strategies and set goals for the world. The Paris Agreement, adopted by 196 Parties at COP 21 in Paris on 12 December 2015, was considered a historic milestone for the global climate change framework. It is a legally binding international treaty that is playing a central role in combating climate change impact. With the unmatchable support from France, we shall believe the IUCN World Conservation Congress next month would come up with a meaningful Marseille manifesto for global nature conservation.
Industrialization was essential for development. But what the ungentle was done to nature and the environment by the men leading the industrial development have led us to the present-day disasters, pandemics and ecological crisis. Unfortunately, the men of morals, values, ethics and norms could not stop the outrage of lustful money mongers and power patrons. One bright side of the development is the emergence of women leadership in all spheres from national political leadership to the world environment and conservation regimes.
I don’t know why women are more humane and naturist than men. They never led wars or paved paths for over-exploitation for natural resources. Rather they have been more nature conservationists as I have seen them in three decades of my career in media, advocacy and outreach. Can we undermine the role of women like Julia Marton-Lefèvre who have unmatchable contributions to the environment and climate regime globally? She was Director General of IUCN from 2007 to mid-January 2015. Prior to this, she was Rector of the UN’s University for Peace (UPEACE), and Executive Director of LEAD (Leadership for Environment and Development) International, a programme established by The Rockefeller Foundation to bring together and train mid-career leaders from all parts of the world in improving their leadership skills around the issues of sustainable development. Julia has been the Executive Director of the International Council for Science (ICSU) while she began her international career in a programme on environmental education at UNESCO. Now she is serving several international organizations on their boards and as an advisor. Her career is a best combo of dynamic leadership and humanely possible conservationism. I had the chance to meet her in-person as an Associate of the LEAD International in 1998 (Yan’an-China) and in 2001 (Moscow-Russia) as the LEAD graduate. Since those years, I devotedly followed her to learn from her passionately professional speeches and writings that used to have an impactful imprint on the hearts and souls of the listeners and readers. Her nominations and selection of experts for different tasks have been on merit and keeping in view their potential.
The IUCN members will have an election for their next president during the World Conservation Congress next month in Marseille (France). Julia Marton-Lefèvre has endorsed Her Excellency Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Managing Director of the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund and the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, as the candidate for the IUCN next president. Many IUCN member states and international organizations have endorsed Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak’s candidacy against two men in the row. Let’s push forward a woman’s leadership for global conservation. She will be the only second woman in 73 years of IUCN history if elected. World needs another devoted Julia Marton-Lefèvre on the global map of changing climate and conservation.
The writer is a freelance journalist and broadcaster, Director Devcom-Pakistan, an Islamabad-based policy advocacy and outreach think tank. He can be reached at [email protected] and tweets @EmmayeSyed
TALIBAN SHOULD WORK FOR AN INCLUSIVE GOVT IN AFGHANISTAN FOR LONG-TERM PEACE
ISLAMABAD, AUG 18 /DNA/ – Formation of an inclusive government combining all political shades and announcement of mass pardon in Afghanistan on the model of the conquest of Makkah will guarantee peace and stability which are much needed in the war-ravaged country following the Taliban’s ascendance to power in Kabul. This will also pave the way for recognition of the Taliban-led government, once formed, by regional countries including Pakistan.
This was noted at a session titled ‘Emerging Scenario in Afghanistan: Implications & Policy Options for Pakistan’ which was organized by Institute of Policy Studies to shed light on the dramatic fall of Kabul to the Taliban and its implications for Pakistan and the region.
Pakistan’s former ambassador to Afghanistan and IPS Vice Chairman Syed Abrar Hussain chaired the session while IPS Chairman Khalid Rahman gave the concluding remarks. Among the discussants were Brigadier (r) Said Nazir, defence and security analyst; Ambassador (r) Ayaz Wazir, Afghan affairs expert; Air Commodore (r) Khalid Iqbal, former Assistant Chief of Air Staff, PAF; Dr Tughral Yamin, Dean Center of International Peace and Stability, NUST; senior journalist Faizullah Khan; and Tajammul Altaf, former ambassador and senior research associate at IPS.
Khalid Iqbal was concerned about the “do more” mantra echoing in some corners of the western media which is holding Pakistan responsible for US failures in Afghanistan. He believed that Washington, out of frustration, is in search of a scapegoat to avoid the fallout of its botched-up mission in Afghanistan.
He warned against the cessation of financial aid from western countries to Afghanistan and urged Pakistan to step up its efforts and support for reconstruction of new Afghanistan. He stressed the need for improving people-to-people contact and bilateral trade between both neighbours and advised the government of Pakistan to avoid raising controversial issues with the Taliban-led government at this stage.
He further added that the chaotic pull-out from Afghanistan has tarnished the global superpower image of the US, which has reduced its complete reliance on India for containment of China in the region following the failure of India in Doklam and Ladakh vis-à-vis China.
Commenting on the military tactic of the Taliban, Brigadier (r) Said Nazir was of the view that the militant group adopted a multi-pronged strategy to seize power. On the diplomatic front, he said, the group was building good relations with regional countries through official visits while on the other hand they kept gaining control of border areas of Afghanistan to nip any future resistance in the bud. He termed the fall of Kabul as a swift and bloodless coup de grace.
He also urged Pakistani authorities to regulate border management effectively with regards to Afghanistan and pay caution to India’s manoeuvres in the region which is acting like a wounded hound after the fall of the Ghani regime.
Ayaz Wazir appreciated the changed stance of the Taliban regarding women’s education, human rights and press freedom, and hoped that the Taliban will be able to establish an inclusive government reflecting all ethnic and political shades of the country.
He underscored the need for recognition of the Taliban-led government by Pakistan once an inclusive government is formed in Kabul. After the recognition, he stressed, a delegation comprising journalists and politicians from Pakistan should visit Afghanistan to remove any misconceptions prevailing between both nations and pave the way for better bilateral ties. According to him, this will decimate the chances of Indian sponsored terrorism in Pakistan.
Dr Tughral was of the view that Pakistan should be the first country to give legitimacy to the Taliban through recognition of their government as this will be remembered in the annals of history as a friendly gesture from Pakistan towards the people of Afghanistan. He opined that Pakistan should provide political, financial and diplomatic aid to Afghanistan in this need of hour and facilitate Afghan students and universities for access to quality education.
It was also observed during the session that the US exit from Afghanistan and the removal of the Delhi-backed Kabul government is the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Afghanistan. This warrants a strategy from Pakistan that can expedite regional cooperation to serve both current and long-term challenges vis-à-vis Afghanistan.
While concluding the session, Khalid Rahman put forth an ideal scenario underlining development agenda of Afghanistan through exploitation of natural resources, regional connectivity, and improved bilateral/multilateral trade. He also stressed the need for conducting studies to probe how much the USA spent on the welfare of the Afghans versus how much money it actually spent on appeasing corrupt officials of previous governments during the past 20 years.
He was of the opinion that Afghanistan can survive the absence of aid from the US and EU as the former’s netizens have proved it over the years. He believed the Afghans can boost Pakistan’s economy by investing billions of dollars as they have done in Turkey provided they are facilitated in this regard.
He urged the Pakistan government to create a conducive environment where Afghan refugees could return to their homeland in a dignified manner as Pakistan’s ambassadors on Afghan soil. Cricket diplomacy, he added, can further bring both nations closer as love for the game is shared on both sides of the border.
PAKISTAN CAN BENEFIT FROM AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH IN NINGXIA: MNFSR ECONOMIST
BEIJING, AUG 18 /DNA/ – “The world can benefit from the agricultural research work being done in Ningxia”, commended Dr. Muhammad Ali Talpur, an economist at the Ministry of National Food Security & Research (MNFSR), in his message to the fifth China-Arab States Expo.
According to a report published by China Economic Net, the expo will be physically unveiled on Thursday in Ningxia Hui autonomous region, a sister province of Punjab, in northwestern China.
Impressed by the modern agriculture of Yinchuan, Ningxia’s capital city, during his visit to the city for the fourth Expo, he anticipates fruitful results from this year’s expo, which will be held both offline and online amid the pandemic. “It is a great forum to share the experience and expand cooperation in the agricultural sector for the betterment of the people in China, Arab, Pakistan, and the rest of the world”.
Apart from a conference featuring modern agriculture to be held on Aug 20th, the Expo also presents green food and smart agricultural technologies in its cloud exhibition, which has attracted thousands of companies worldwide.
Agricultural products in Ningxia, such as goji berry (wolfberry), organic vegetables, honey, milk, etc. have been increasingly popular in the international market. For instance, it is now exporting US$ 60 million of goji annually to over 30 countries and regions.
“I never run out of goji”, said Kassem Tofailli, President of Arab Chinese Cooperation and Development Association (ACCDA) in an exclusive interview with China Economic Net (CEN), with goji right inside his cup. “In the winter, I always have Babao Tea (assorted Chinese herbal tea)”.
After establishing the agricultural technology transfer center between China and Arab countries, Ningxia has set up a sub-center in Pakistan, focusing on building the Islamabad Pavilion of Featured Agricultural Products of Ningxia and cross-border e-commerce service platform to display its high-quality agricultural products and advanced agricultural machinery and equipment.
An online mall has been put in place to promote agricultural trade with neighboring countries. Technical experts have also been sent to Pakistan for agri-technological exchanges. In 2006, Ningxia formed sister ties with Punjab.
It is reported that this is the fifth consecutive time for the Expo to incorporate agricultural cooperation. The past four conferences have witnessed the conclusion of nearly fifty agricultural agreements involving over RMB 1.1 billion.
PAKISTAN COULD BENEFIT FROM CHINA’S MEDICAL TOURISM INDUSTRY: CPMA
BEIJING, AUG 18 /DNA/ – “Medical tourism is that people take a trip to other countries to get good health facilities. There is a need for this thing between Pakistan and China,” said Dr. Muhammad Shahbaz, president of China Pakistan Medical Association (CPMA), according to Gwadar Pro.
“In my opinion, Pakistan patients should reach China for treatment, the quantity now is too little. Due to Covid-19, there are too many visa issues, and flights are not coming, a lot of difficulties are there.”
“I did my master’s degree and Ph.D. in China. In the last 15 years, I have seen that a lot of work has been done in China to enhance the technology of artificial intelligence, big data, augmented and virtual reality, and telemedicine.
Top-class universities and hospitals in China are included in the list of the world’s top 500 universities and hospitals. Pakistan medical technology has not progressed to this extent, while our population has crossed more than 21 crores.
In this regard, there is a dire need of medical cooperation between Pakistan and China.”
“Since China did not have much medical contact with the outside world, foreign patients don’t know China’s real medical level.
This is also why in the global medical tourism industry which is worth USD 700 billion, the market occupied by China is 0,” said Li Dinggang, executive president of medicine of Beijing Lu Daopei Hematology Hospital. Shahbaz also agreed that one reason for the little number of Pakistan patients who come to China for treatment is that China does not market itself enough.
“Except for the language barrier, one problem is that we do not have a platform to develop a connection between nations and related institutions. There is also a shortage of awareness and medical knowledge.”
Shahbaz suggested that a platform that provides medical knowledge to other counties should be established and information about which kind of diseases can be treated in China should also be provided by them.
“In China， there are the world’s top-class hospitals, organizations, professors and technologies. Technologies like cancer chemotherapy and telemedicine are quite advanced. Traditional medical therapies are also used a lot.”
“A lot of government-to-government cooperations are happening between Pakistan and China. A lot of information is shared and agreements are done. However, the exchange of thought is not adequate, this is another problem.
Technology transfer is very important. China has done a lot of progress in the last 10 years. There is a need of thoughts exchange regarding technology. There should be seminars and conferences organized between China and Pakistan.”
Shahbaz said, adding that China and Pakistan should make a 5-year or 10-year medical cooperation plan and related policies so that maximum people can get benefit from it.
VIRTUAL KHULI KATCHEHRI ORGANIZED AT PAKISTAN HIGH COMMISSION IN LONDON
LONDON, AUG 18 /DNA/ – High Commissioner Moazzam Ahmad Khan held the 7th virtual ‘Khuli Katchehry’ with the Pakistani diaspora in the UK. A large number of community members attended the virtual Katchehri.
During the interaction, the diaspora members sought redressal of their issues regarding visas, NICOPs, POCs, passports and property matters in Pakistan. The High Commissioner redressed some of the problems instantly. He assured that the remaining issues would be taken up with the concerned authorities in Pakistan. He also welcomed the suggestions of the diaspora members for the improvement of the services.
The diaspora members were particularly anxious to know as to when Pakistan was being removed from the UK’s Red List for travel. The High Commissioner said that he was in contact with the relevant UK authorities on the matter. He said in view of the travelling difficulties being faced by the British Pakistanis, getting Pakistan on the Green List was his priority.
The community members also commended the excellent performance of the Prime Minister’s Citizen Portal in resolving the problems of the overseas Pakistanis. They also appreciated the initiative of Virtual Khuli Katchehri at the Mission that not only helps resolve the problems of the community but also connects the community with the High Commission.
As per the directions of Prime Minister Imran Khan, the virtual Khuli Katchehri is held at the High Commission every month.
Uzbekistan role in regional connectivity highlighted
DNA
ISLAMABAD: Furqat Sidikov Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan has highlighted the Central and South Asian Connectivity conference held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and stated that the conference invited dignitaries from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and other countries and the mission of this event has highlighted the importance of transport, energy and other cooperation for connectivity in this region. Results of that high-level conference were great he added.
He expressed these views during an international conference organized on, “Interconnectedness of Central and South Asia: Preconditions, Prospects, Geostrategic Significance” organized by the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Khalid Taimur Akram, Executive Director, Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad highlighted the views of Imran Khan, Prime Minister of Pakistan, who mentioned that the Tashkent conference has presented a new collaboration in geopolitics and economy that is important for the sustainable development for Central and South Asia.
Khalid Taimur Akram, stated that in July 2021 we saw the grand vision of Central and South Asia connectivity presented by President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev. In times to come the world will remember that after 5 centuries, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev brought back the idea of regional connectivity. Moreover, this time the message from Uzbekistan is a message of brotherhood, connectivity, and bringing our mutual legacy forward for the future generation.
He mentioned that the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan was part of the historical conference in Tashkent, and Pakistan is now a major part of this initiative and concept. Furthermore, Pakistan is also a part of Central Asia-South Asia (CASA 1000), Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program (CAREC). In addition to these, CPEC being the flagship project of the Belt and Road initiative is a connectivity route for the Central Asian countries as well.
He specifically mentioned the initiative of Mazar-i-Sharif-Kabul-Peshawar by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and stated that this regional transport corridor will open new avenues of cooperation in the region and will also connect countries to the Indian Ocean.
Acknowledging the efforts of Furkat Sidikov Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, he emphasized that his exemplary role in taking the bilateral ties of Pakistan and Uzbekistan is commendable.
Khalid also highlighted the efforts of Sodyq Safoev, First Deputy Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and assured that Pakistan is enthusiastic for this initiative of Central & South Asia Connectivity and CGSS has already started to advocate this idea in many universities of Pakistan. He also invited future collaborations with the senate and other institutions in Uzbekistan to bring this message of Central & South Asia connectivity to future generations of Pakistan.
The international conference included dignitaries, diplomats, and experts from more than 15 countries including Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Japan, United States, Belgium, Russia, Germany, etc.
Commissioner checks routes of mourning processions
FAISALABAD, Aug 18 :Divisional Commissioner Saqib Mannan on Tuesday visited various parts of the city and checked
the security and administrative arrangements on the routes of mourning processions to be taken
out on Youm-e-Ashur. tomorrow.
He also visited Clock Tower Chowk, its adjacent bazaars, center Imam Bargah and examined
cleanliness arrangements there. He directed the officers of Water & Sanitation Agency (WASA)
and Faisalabad Waste Management Company (FWMC) to ensure cleanliness and sanitation of
procession routes on Ashura Day.
He also directed the police to beef up security in the city especially on the routes of mourning
processions and majalis.
He also directed the officers of district administration to implement corona SOPs on Ashura Day
and take strict action who will participate in mourning processions and majalis without wearing
face masks.
Later, he met members of district peace committee.
Foolproof security arrangements finalized for Ashura Day
KASUR, Aug 18 :District Police Officer Imran Kishwar said on Wednesday that foolproof security arrangements
have been finalized for Youm-e-Ashur as 3,000 police officials had been deputed to provide
security cover to majalis and mourning processions in the district.
He said that 21 majalis and 29 mourning processions would be held across the district
where 2 SPs, 7 DSPs, 25 inspectors, 114 SIs, 191 ASIs, 221 head constables, 1518 constables,
43 lady constables, 240 police razakars, 604 volunteers and employees of 150 civil defence
besides reserved Punjab constabulary, elite force and muhafiz force would perform security
duty, says a press release issued here on Tuesday.
He said that four-tier security would be ensured around mourning processions. The participants
of mourning processions and majalis would be checked through walk-through gates, metal
detectors and bio-metric verification.
He said the routes of mourning processions would be checked through sniffer dogs and
technical instruments.
The DPO said that extra-ordinary security arrangements had been made at six sensitive
areas where 260 CCTV cameras had been installed while a control room had also been
set up in DPO office to monitor the law and order situation.
He said that a complete ban on wall chalking, fiery speeches, use of loud speakers and
display of arms would be ensured in the district.
Special arrangements have also been finalized to regulate vehicular traffic in the city,
however, all roads around mourning processions would be closed for traffic, he added.
UN Human Rights Council to discuss Afghanistan on Aug 24
Geneva, Aug 18 :The United Nations Human Rights Council announced Tuesday a special session on Afghanistan for August 24 to address the “serious human rights concerns” following the Taliban takeover.
The meeting, at the UN’s Palais des Nations headquarters in Geneva, is being convened following an official request by the representatives of Pakistan — coordinator of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation — and Afghanistan.
The joint submission has been supported by 89 countries so far, the UN’s top rights body said in a statement.
Calling a special session outside of the thrice-yearly regular meetings requires the backing of at least a third of the 47 members of the council — 16 states.
The request has thus far been supported by 29 of the 47, including Argentina, Britain, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico and Afghanistan’s neighbours Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
Sixty other countries have so far backed the move, including Algeria, Belgium, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates.
The Taliban took effective control of Afghanistan on Sunday when president Ashraf Ghani fled and the insurgents walked into Kabul with no opposition.
It capped a staggeringly fast rout of Afghanistan’s major cities following two decades of war that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.
Tens of thousands of people have tried to flee the country to escape the hardline Islamist rule expected under the Taliban, or fearing direct retribution for siding with the US-backed government that ruled for the past two decades.
